Christian Contemplative Literature

Bruce Nelson, Lecturer and teacher.

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. May 4, 11, 18, 25. In person, Ludington 103. Class size unlimited.

We will look at Christian contemplative literature over the last two thousand years to gain a new appreciation of the richness of the Western tradition. Beginning with the early Christian contemplatives we will examine the roots of contemplative spirituality in the Jewish, Greek and Asian wisdom traditions, and the specific nature of the Christian contemplative understanding. We will look at parts of the New Testament, Gnostic treatises, the Desert Fathers, the Philokalia, Meister Eckhart and the Rhineland mystics, medieval English contemplatives, Christian alchemists, nineteenth century American mystics, and Christian contemplatives in modern times to see how contemplative vision has continually informed and inspired the West.

I will provide a sourcebook when the class starts.